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Hydra is the largest of the 88 modern constellations, measuring 1303 square degrees. Also one of the longest at over 100 degrees, its southern end abuts [[Libra]] and Centaurus and its northern end borders Cancer.It has a long history, having been included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy. It is commonly represented as a water snake. It should not be confused with the similarly named constellation of Hydrus. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | |||
==Messier Objects==- | |||
Hydra contains three Messier objects. [[Messier 83]], also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, is located on the border of Hydra and Centaurus, [[Messier 68]] is a globular cluster near Messier 83, and [[Messier 48]] is an open star cluster in the western end of the serpent.[1] | |||
NGC 3242 is a planetary nebula of magnitude 7.5, 1400 light-years from Earth. Discovered in 1785 by William Herschel, it has earned the nickname "Ghost of Jupiter" because of its striking resemblance to the giant planet. Its blue-green disk is visible in small telescopes and its halo is visible in larger instruments. | |||
[[Messier 48]] (NGC 2548) is an open cluster that is visible to the naked eye under dark skies. Its shape has been described as "triangular"; this 80-star cluster is unusually large, more than half a degree in diameter, larger than the diameter of the full [[Moon]]. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydra_%28constellation%29 Hydra]</ref> | |||